River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-07-07
Lyman Beecher's Counting.

Saints, sinners and the Beechel
family" has been printed as the remark
of the late venerable DR.. Todd. Of
Pittsfield, Mass. Possibly the follow
ing anecdote of the father, which ]
had from his eldest son. the Rev.
William H. Beecher. may illustrate the
peculiarities of his family: The old
gentleman had lost his second or third
wife, and was resolved to marry again
Hence ut a family gathering in Cincin.
natl he said; my children, hitherto
have married altogether TO suit my
self, but now | intend 10 marry again
and am willing TO marry to suit YOU
if You can think of any suitable and
proper person who will have me. y
The children put their heads together
and concluded that certain Mrs.
jackson, who kept a large boarding
/ house in Boston, and was member of
Edwards church, would make him a
capital wife, and it was arranged for
the Rev. Edward to negotiate with
Mrs. jackson. After waiting a week
or so the old gentleman became i'm
patient and started for Boston, driv-
ing to Mrs. Jackson's house. calling
for her, and unfolding at once the OBJ
ject of his mission. The good lady
was thunderstruck, protested that she
had no idea of marrying, and couIdn, {
think of such a thing lit was impossible.
oil Of f.h ta -.
that he was equally surprised. Tie
arrangement had been made in Cincin-
natl Edward was to prepare the way.
and he had made his arrangements to
preach in AndOver and Amherst and TO
attend the MAY anniversaries. and ax-
pected, of course, to take her with him
as his wife. At this point the good
lady expressed herself as shocked that
Edward had never spoken TO her on
the subject; nor would it have made
any difference if he had, for, as to
marrying again, she could not and
would not-nOt even the venerable and
celebrated DR.. Lyman Beecher, After
a moments pause the doctor said:
My dear Mrs. jackson, am sorry
y
| will stay day or two, and we will
talk this matter up" To which the
lady responded that her house was full,
she had no suitable room for him and
could not entertain him. s.Oh. never
mind, then, said the doctor; II will 80
around to Edward and come and take
tea with YOU" And. sure enough. at
tea time he was there. and sat next
to Mrs. Jackson at the table 1t was
one Of those large boarding houses on
Beacon street at which the lady of the
house presided as a sort of matron, and.
TO the tea table of which the boarders !
kept coming and going for two o. three
hours.
OF course, the old doctor became i'm |
patient, and kept whispering to Mrs. i
Jackson: Il want to see YOU aloner' Il /
must see your Cant YOU see me /
llonew At length Mrs. Jackson left |
he table with him, and they went 10 a |
DOM BY themselves. What then occurred 4
sod only knows, but the family story 4
; that the good lady protested, ex-
'Fessed her amazement, and even said: /
You mustbe crazy; the subject is too I
erious and solemn TO be thought of with
ut prayertO God. Have you not pray
d about itl'' said the doctor. PRAYED
bout it?' No" said Mrs. jackson:
have not thought of such thing"
lie us pray" was the solemn re-
ponsa OF Beecher. and they knelt down
nd prayed. OF course the Almighty
7as argued with; what a good wife
1rs. jackson would make him:
that blessing it would be TO her;
ow much good she would do in the
oily cause; what a disappointment if
be did not marry him. Then obsely-
~ her to be in a melting mood, he
cached out his hand, took hold Of hsfs,
nd said. "amen. Yes ana amen it
as. The grand. .oarding-house was
roken UP. to the surprise of all Boston,
nd Mrs. jackson became Mrs. Lyman
eecher, making him a "capitai wife
ldeed.